96- Govardhan Leela: How Shree Krishna Stopped Indra Yajna and Became Govinda

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that while living in Vrindavan, Bhagwan Shree Krishna, along with Balaramji, was performing many divine leelas. One day, He noticed that the gopas of Braj were preparing for an Indra-yajna. Shree Krishna then humbly asked Nandbaba why this sacrifice was performed, what fruit it yielded, and what its true purpose was.

Nandbaba explained that Indra is the lord of rain. By his grace, rainfall occurs, crops grow, and the life of all beings is sustained. This tradition is ancient, and therefore, they perform the Indra-yajna. 

Hearing this, Shree Krishna explained the principle of karma. He said that every being experiences happiness and sorrow according to one’s own actions. If everything arises from karma, then deities like Indra cannot independently bestow results. A person should perform actions according to one’s nature, varna, and ashram. That by which one’s livelihood is sustained alone becomes worthy of worship.

The livelihood of the gopas depended on cows. They were forest dwellers; mountains and forests were their true home. Therefore, they should worship cows, brahmins, and Giriraj Govardhan, and not Indra. Shree Krishna suggested that all the materials prepared for the Indra-yajna be used instead for the worship of Giriraj Govardhan.

Nandbaba and the people of Braj accepted His words. In due manner, the brahmins were honoured, fodder was given to the cows, and Giriraj Govardhan was circumambulated. Everyone partook of prasadam and celebrated the festival with joy.

To strengthen the faith of the gopas, Shree Krishna manifested Himself as Giriraj and accepted all the offerings. Thus, the people of Braj worshipped cows, brahmins, and Giriraj, and returned to Vrindavan joyfully in the company of Shree Krishna.

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that when Indra learned that his worship had been stopped in Braj, he became extremely angry. Indra was deeply intoxicated with pride over his position and considered himself the lord of the three worlds. Seeing that his worship in Braj had ceased, he was filled with rage. In anger, he commanded the devastating Samvartak clouds, which bring dissolution, to attack Braj.

Indra said, “How has such arrogance arisen in these forest-dwelling cowherds! This is the result of pride born of wealth. Just look, taking shelter of an ordinary human being named Krishna, they have insulted me, the king of the devas. Just as some people abandon true knowledge and attempt to cross the ocean of worldly existence relying only on ritual actions, so too are these people deluded.

Krishna considers himself very wise, yet he is ignorant and proud. He himself is mortal, and still these cowherds have disregarded me by placing their trust in him. Already intoxicated by wealth, Krishna has further increased their arrogance.

Now go and completely destroy their wealth and pride, and slaughter their animals. I myself shall mount my elephant Airavat and, accompanied by the fierce Marudganas, come to destroy Nanda’s Braj.”

By Indra’s command, dense clouds covered Braj. Torrential rain began to pour, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and with violent winds, massive hailstones fell. Water flooded everywhere. The contours of the land could no longer be recognised. Cows, cowherds, gopis, and children began to tremble with cold and fear.

In this calamity, everyone, protecting their children and cattle, came to take refuge in Bhagwan Shree Krishna. Trembling, they said that now Shree Krishna alone was their protector, and that He alone could save them from Indra’s wrath.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna saw that the people of Braj were suffering intensely. He understood that all this was the result of Indra’s anger. Within His heart, He resolved that He would protect those who had taken refuge in Him and remove Indra’s pride, for protecting His devotees is His eternal vow.

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that having resolved thus, Bhagwan Shree Krishna effortlessly lifted Giriraj Govardhan on the nail of the little finger of His left hand and raised it like a great umbrella. He then told the gopas to come beneath the mountain with their cows, children, and all the people, and assured them that they had nothing to fear.

All the people of Braj came beneath Govardhan with their cattle and families. Bhagwan Shree Krishna stood in that very place for seven days without pause or fatigue, holding the mountain aloft. Not even for a moment did the mountain tremble or slip from His hand.

Seeing this manifestation of Bhagwan’s Yogamaya, Indra’s pride was shattered. His purpose was not fulfilled, and therefore, he ordered the clouds to cease their rain. Gradually, the storm and rainfall subsided, the clouds dispersed, and the sun reappeared.

When Shree Krishna saw that the danger had passed, He told the people of Braj to come out fearlessly. Everyone emerged along with their children, women, elders, and cattle.

Thereafter, in full view of all, Bhagwan Shree Krishna gently placed Giriraj back in its original position. Witnessing this, the people of Braj were filled with love. They ran toward Shree Krishna; some embraced Him, some kissed Him. The gopis applied an auspicious tilak and offered blessings. Yashoda, Nandbaba, Rohini, and Balaramji also affectionately blessed Shree Krishna.

At that moment, devas, siddhas, gandharvas, and other celestial beings in the sky began to shower flowers while singing the praises of Bhagwan. Divine instruments resounded in the heavens, and songs glorifying Bhagwan’s leela were sung. Finally, Bhagwan Shree Krishna returned joyfully to Braj along with Balaramji, the gopas, and the gopis.

Shukadevji says that upon witnessing this extraordinary act of Bhagwan Shree Krishna, the gopas of Braj were filled with amazement. They did not fully know His infinite power. Gathering together, they began to say that this child was not ordinary. To lift Giriraj Govardhan with one hand and hold it for seven days at such a tender age was impossible for any ordinary human being.

The gopas remembered that this very child had slain the demoness Putana, killed the Trinavarta demon, overturned the Shakata cart, and brought down the twin Yamalarjuna trees. He had slain demons such as Bakasura and Vatsasura, destroyed Dhenukasura and his companions, caused the death of Pralambasura, and protected Braj from the forest fire. He had subdued Kaliya Naga and freed the Yamuna from poison. Reflecting on how a mere child could perform such deeds, doubt began to arise in their minds.

Nandbaba then said, “O gopas, listen carefully to what I say, and your doubts about my child will be removed. Maharshi Garg, upon seeing this child, had declared that He takes incarnation in every Yug, and in this Yug He is of the Krishna-varna (dark complexioned). He was also born earlier in the house of Vasudev, and therefore He is known as Vaasudev. He has many names and forms. He will bring welfare to Braj and the cows and will protect them from great calamities. No enemy can harm those who love Him. In qualities, majesty, power, and fame, He is equal to Narayan.” Nandbaba added that, having heard the words of Gargacharya, he himself regarded this child as an amsha of Bhagwan Narayan.

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that when the people of Braj heard Gargji's words from Nandbaba's mouth, their astonishment was dispelled. For they had now fully seen and heard the greatness of the immeasurably radiant Shree Krishna. Filled with joy, they lavishly praised Nandbaba and Shree Krishna again and again.

When Bhagwan Shree Krishna lifted Giriraj Govardhan and saved Braj from the torrential rain, Indra came to seek forgiveness for his offence. He was deeply ashamed because of his pride. He went alone to Bhagwan Shree Krishna and touched His lotus feet with his crown. Seeing the majesty and influence of Bhagwan, the false notion that he himself was the lord of the three worlds was completely destroyed. Folding his hands, he then offered praises to Bhagwan.

Indra said, “O Bhagwan! Your form is supremely peaceful and filled with pure knowledge. You are beyond the modes of rajas and tamas, established in pure sattva. This world, which appears in many forms due to the influence of the gunas, is perceived only because of ignorance. It is due to not knowing Your true nature that such differences appear.

Ignorance and bodily identification have no connection with You. Therefore, faults such as greed and anger can never exist in You, for they arise only from ignorance. Yet You incarnate to protect Dharma and to destroy the wicked, bestowing appropriate punishment and grace.

You are the father, guru, and master of the universe. To govern the world, You wield the formidable power of time itself. To fulfil the longing of Your devotees, You freely manifest a divine body, and through countless leelas You crush the pride of those who, like me, mistakenly consider themselves to be supreme.

O Master! Intoxicated by power and opulence, I committed an offence against You, for I did not know Your true potency. Please forgive my transgression and do not let me fall into such ignorance again. Your descent is for removing the burden of the wicked and for protecting Your devotees. You are the indwelling witness of all, Vasudev, Purushottam, and supremely affectionate to Your devotees. Again and again, I bow to You. You do not assume a body due to karma, but by Your own will. Even Your body is of the nature of pure knowledge. You alone are the cause of all and the Self of all beings.

O Bhagwan! Pride and anger were exceedingly strong within me. When my yajna was disrupted, I sought in anger to destroy Braj. But You showed me mercy and shattered my pride. You alone are my master, my guru, and my very Self. I have taken refuge in You.”

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that, hearing Indra’s praise, Bhagwan Shree Krishna smiled and said, “Indra, you had become intoxicated by opulence and power. Therefore, out of compassion, I disrupted your yajna, so that you may now always remember Me.”

A man blinded by pride in his power and opulence fails to perceive My presence, even when I stand near him holding the rod of punishment (kaal danda). For his true welfare, I strip him of his material privileges to help him realise the truth. (Bhagavat 10.27.16)

Shree Krishna called out, “Indra, may auspiciousness be upon you. Now return to your capital, Amaravati, and abide by My command. Never again give way to pride. Constantly and unceasingly remain aware of My presence and My association, and in accordance with your authority, always uphold proper conduct and discipline.”

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that Bhagwan Shree Krishna was still instructing Indra when, at that very moment, Kamadhenu arrived there along with her calves. She offered reverence to the Supreme Bhagwan Shree Krishna, who was present in the guise of a cowherd, and said, “O Shree Krishna, whose very nature is Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss! You are the great yogi and the Lord of all yogis. You alone are this entire universe, and You alone are its original cause. You are Achyut, infallible and eternal. Though You are the Lord of the whole world, You have accepted us as those under Your protection, and therefore we have become truly sheltered.

You are the master of the entire universe, yet for us, You alone are the supreme object of worship. Indra may be the Indra of the devas, but for us, You alone are our Indra, the protector of cows, brahmins, devas, and saintly persons.

By the inspiration of Brahmaji, we cows shall recognise You as our Indra and perform Your abhishek. O Vishvatman, Supreme Soul of the universe! You have taken this incarnation solely to relieve the burden of the earth.”

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that thereafter, Kamadhenu performed the abhishek of Bhagwan Shree Krishna with her own milk, and Devraj Indra, along with the devarshis, anointed Him with divine water brought in the trunk of Airavat. At that very moment, Bhagwan was given the name “Govinda.”

At that time, Narad, Tumburu, and other gandharvas, along with vidyadharas, siddhas, and charanas, had already arrived there. They began singing the glories of Bhagwan, whose fame removes the sins and sufferings of the entire world, and the apsaras, filled with joy, began to dance.

The foremost devas praised Bhagwan and showered Him with divine flowers from Nandanvan. A flood of supreme bliss spread across the three worlds. Rivers overflowed with various nectarous essences. Without ploughing or sowing, the earth produced many kinds of herbs and grains. Jewels and precious stones hidden within the mountains emerged on their own. Even beings who were cruel by nature became free of hostility, and mutual friendship arose among them.

In this manner, Indra performed the abhishek of Shree Govinda, the Lord of cows and Gokul. Having received His permission, Indra then departed for heaven along with the devas, gandharvas, and other celestial beings.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 16.01.2026